Jun 22, 2016 | By Tess
Brett Turnage, the racing enthusiast and talented maker who brought us a 3D printed replica of Ayrton Senna’s 1993 McLaren MP4/8 Formula 1 RC-Car last month, recently unveiled his latest Formula One RC car, which itself is dedicated to the late and great Muhammad Ali. Like his previous models Turnage’s latest 3D printed RC model, the RS-LM 2014 Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro, dubbed “The Ali” for short, is available through Thingiverse, so anyone can 3D print and assemble their very own open-source RC car.
Turnage explains that for years he has been inspired by the Audi R18 LMP1 race car and the marketing that has gone along with it. For those unfamiliar with Audi’s race car commercials, they have involved such humorous plots as taunting competitors like Porsche by driving up to their factory, and of everyday people driving around in racing cars, picking up their kids from school, going on a fishing trip, etc. This latter commercial was the ultimate inspiration for Turnage who says, “that commercial has always struck me as the ultimate in imagination and dreams for a car fan.” Combined with his admiration and respect for the recently deceased boxer Muhammad Ali, Turnage’s “The Ali” was born.
The racing car model is also quite timely, as 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s oldest active sports car race in endurance racing, just wrapped up. This particular model was not featured in the race, however, but is the 2014 Audi R18 prototype model. Turnage chose to replicate the prototype version of the car because of its distinct black and red coloring.
The car and chassis were modelled using Fusion360, a process which took about a month to complete as Turnage wanted to be as accurate as possible with his design. The Le Mans model was then 3D printed at 1/128 micro stepping at a 0.2mm layer height. Turnage also gives credit to Simplify3D’s tool paths and a Bondtech extruder for the success of his print.
Not only beautiful to look at, however, the 3D printed RC car was also built for speed. Turnage explains, “The RS-LM chassis that I developed was designed to fit the largest and fastest motors that you can stick in an RC car. I am running the car with a 13.5T motor, a much faster motor than the 21.5T motor in my F1 car.” The RC model also features a long wheel base (320mm) for enhanced stability, and all wheel drive with two differentials. The car’s structure can also accommodate standard lipo batteries. Overall, the car’s structure is low (for improved cornering and speed) with a max height of 56mm. In terms of wheels, the Audi R18 model’s 3D printed rims can fit F1 front tires, but the car can also be fitted with touring car rims and tires if needed.
To print and make your own RS-LM 2014 Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro model, the files and instructions for the car design can be found here, and the chassis can be found here. Check out the videos below to see the real Audi R18, and its 3D printed counterpart.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- Stratasys begins making custom 3D printed 'Effect Skins' for Daihatsu's Copen roadster
- Fictiv platform to localize and speed up 3D printing, CNC machining development cycles
- MIT's 3D printed Cillia hair to have applications in sensing, adhesion, and actuation
- First heart structure 3D printed in zero gravity using human stem cells
- Masterwork Tools' amazing collection of 3D printable open source tabletop gaming scenery
- When 3D printing meets traditional Chinese ink painting
- Verus Art uses 3D scanning and printing to recreate tactile works of classic art
- Top 10 free 3D printable Father's Day gifts
- Say goodbye to maps with EasyJet’s new GPS smart shoes made with 3D printing
- Researchers create 3D printed robotic muscles using electroactive polymer
- 3D printing used in Portuguese counterfeit money scheme
- Americans under threat from 3D printed drone armies, says US presidential candidate